SIGN UP FOR NEWS

Follow Us

The Harpoon

The canoe was built in 2009. The overall dimensions are of the Wee Lassie scale with the modification made adding 1″ in height to the gunnel. Length 13′4″.

The hull is made from Western Red Cedar in continuous strips (not scarf jointed from smaller pieces). The detail strip, along both sides of the hull was made from Peruvian Walnut and Basswood. The gunwale is made from American White Ash and ‘caps’ the hull. The scupper blocks, made from Kentucky Black Walnut, are attached inside the gunwale rail, running up into the ends on both sides, were designed with curved ends for aesthetics, and are flush to the hull allowing complete drainage of water from inside.

The decks, both stern and bow, are made from Peruvian Walnut and Basswood. The seams have a Red Oak spline for strength. The deck coamings are made from Massachusetts Butternut. The internal and external Stems are made from Kentucky Black Walnut, cut into very thin strips and laminated to form the curve of the bow and stern. The central thwart was designed to function with a removable, tilting backrest.

Both the backrest and seat are made from Kentucky Black Walnut and hand woven cane.

The entire boat was made without the use of staples. This process is time consuming, as each strip needs to be clamped and allowed to dry, thus only 2 strips/hour on alternate sides are allowed. This process is accomplished by using wedges and specially designed clamps, which hold each successive strip both inwardly to each form as well as ‘downwardly’ strip to strip.

The hull, both inside and out, is then faired by a hand block plane to form the correct “lines”. Any imperfections in joints are then filled with a mixture of cedar wood dust and epoxy. Once re-faired, the hull is lightly sanded. The hull is seal-coated with epoxy. Once dried, the inside of the hull is “glassed”, fiberglass cloth and epoxy. The inside of the hull is given only two light coats. It is very durable but the weave of the cloth should not be filled so that there is a textured feel, less slip more traction for paddler. The exterior of the hull has multiple coats until weave is full. It is then sanded and prepared for the marine varnishing, light sanding between coats. The brass rope hold for the bow is attached and the gunwale, thwart, seat and backrest are installed.